The setting could be anywhere. However, that feeling of impending doom cannot be shaken as SpeakEasy Stage Company and Front Porch Arts Collective presents the twist-filled, semi-interactive, and award-winning Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu continuing through Sunday, February 2 at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts. This show is not appropriate for young children for explicit language and adult themes. Pass Over is an hour and a half with no intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.
Directed cleverly by Monica White Ndounou, Pass Over is part absurdist drama that tackles a number of social issues including racism and police brutality and weaves them together into a culturally meaningful narrative. Its theatre-in-the-round and semi-interactive setting helps pull the audience into the drama and never lets go.
![Speakeasy Stage - Moses and Kitch 2 [223]](https://i0.wp.com/sleeplesscritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/speakeasy-stage-moses-and-kitch-2-223.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Hubens “Bobby” Cius and Kadahj Bennett in SpeakEasy Stage’s production of ‘Pass Over’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios
This suspenseful tale comes with simple staging by Baron E. Pugh and Wooden Kiwi Productions with only a nondescript lamp post and chain link fencing. Anything more than that would be distracting. Costume designer Chelsea Kerl keeps Kitch and Moses local with Red Sox caps and Celtics gear.
![Speakeasy Stage - The Promised Land 2 [102]](https://i0.wp.com/sleeplesscritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/speakeasy-stage-the-promised-land-2-102.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Hubens “Bobby” Cius and Kadahj Bennett in SpeakEasy Stage’s production of ‘Pass Over’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios
Lewis D. Wheeler’s over-the-top performance enhances the palpable tension in this production. As Mister, he plays an intricate part and takes on more than one role in this thought provoking tale. In a beige suit and panama hat while carrying a wicker basket, Mister’s back story faintly resembles little red riding hood as he creates an impossible situation.

Lewis D. Wheeler in SpeakEasy Stage’s ‘Pass Over’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios
Without being preachy, Pass Over delivers a powerful message while exploring some of the darker, hypocritical sides of human nature and treats its serious themes with sensitivity.
SpeakEasy Stage Company and the Front Porch Arts Collective present Pass Over through Sunday, February 2 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in the South End of Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets and here to learn more about the Front Porch Arts Collective. The Children and Bright Star still coming up as part of SpeakEasy Stage Company’s 2020 season.